The recent passage of the Online Gaming Bill 2025 by the Lok Sabha has placed My11Circle, a prominent fantasy sports platform, under significant scrutiny. The bill specifically targets online platforms where users create teams and wager money, classifying them as prohibited online money games. This creates a direct threat to My11Circle’s core business model.
The impact of the bill could be severe. Fantasy cricket games that offer cash rewards are likely to be banned. Celebrity-backed advertising campaigns featuring figures like Sourav Ganguly could also face legal issues.
To navigate this challenging environment, My11Circle may consider strategies such as transitioning to e-sports-style competitions that emphasize rankings and recognition instead of financial payouts. Another approach could involve lobbying for the reclassification of fantasy sports as skill-based activities exempt from gambling regulations. Industry analysts suggest that My11Circle may consider legal challenges to the bill, pointing to its potential economic repercussions and previous court precedents. However, without legislative adjustments, My11Circle might need to adopt non-monetary subscription-based models or face the possibility of closure.
The Online Gaming Bill 2025, introduced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, aims to foster online social games and esports. The legislation prohibits all forms of online money gaming, irrespective of the involvement of skill or chance, while permitting esports and social games under subscription frameworks. It seeks to mitigate problems such as financial losses and addiction by banning online betting and gambling, encompassing fantasy sports, card games, and online lotteries. The bill also restricts advertising for such games and prevents banks and financial institutions from processing related transactions. Violations may result in imprisonment of up to three years or fines of up to Rs 1 crore, pending passage in both houses of Parliament.
